by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents who love all types of science may consider a major in Natural Sciences. This involves the study of biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and physics. You will become scientifically literate and will participate in innovative research.
This is a challenging major. Be prepared to take classes in advanced mathematics and learn complex scientific formulas. This major involves learning a broad range of material; students will need to connect information from a variety of subjects.
Courses in Natural Sciences will include: chemistry, biology, environmental studies, physics, astronomy, botany, geology, ecology, microbiology, and zoology.
A major in Natural Sciences explores Natural Sciences. Read on to learn the important information every natural sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering natural sciences programs.
Across the country, natural sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 2,648 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Natural Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 108 schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of natural sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Natural Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations natural sciences graduates commonly enter.
This major allows you to dive deeply into the topic of natural sciences. Students will be required to juggle labs, readings, research, and attending lectures. Classes will require self-motivation as well as the ability to work with others. Your math and computer skills will be used often as you work through difficult problems, record and interpret your data.
Your assignments will require you to apply different theories to real life situations. You will develop enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills in order to evaluate your work and results. Students are required to communicate findings in oral presentations and written reports. This will require logical reasoning as well as flexibility and creativity.
The skill set emphasized by a natural sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a natural sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several natural sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 769 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 889 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 844 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 132 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 14 |
People currently working in careers related to natural sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.7% |
| Master’s degree | 13.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in natural sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Natural Sciences will prepare you for a career in a myriad of occupations. Graduates find work as a researcher, lab technician or consultant in the areas of science education, science journalism, or public health. A foundation in Natural Sciences will also allow you to go into pharmacy, medicine, law, dental, or nursing. Some of these career paths will require you to continue your education.
Studying natural sciences opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to natural sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 188,913 | 7.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | 151,522 | -2.5% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | 88,872 | 5.3% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of natural sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,047 |
| 4 years | $46,884 |
| 5 years | $60,319 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for natural sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers natural sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | $73,261 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $72,607 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
With 108 different natural sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased natural sciences school rankings to help you.
Students interested in natural sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | 2,648 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
